knaffie

After everything I've read on here, I figured this 3VZ to be pretty much worthless as far as power and mileage. Well I'll definitely agree I'm not going to win any drag races with it, but once its up to speed, it carries itself fine. I've run close to 1000 miles now, most of it at 80-90 MPH with no problem at all and it doesn't lose any speed on the hills. My worse mileage was 18.5 which was running at 85 the whole way, passing a lot with the A/C on full blast with two kayaks on the roofrack. My best mileage was 22.5 with no A/C on going about 80 most of the time with just me in the vehicle and nothing on top.

My 4Runner does have stock size tires on it, so I would suppose that would help a lot. I can imagine how doggy it would be with bigger tires for sure.

Also, maybe I'm having better luck with the brand new motor, versus most other people's have 100,000 or more miles on them now?

Anyway, I just thought I'd post some positive feedback about this motor that gets ripped on so much.

colsoncj

I've driven my mom's 94 since it had 18000 miles on it, and i didn't think it was the end of the world. As you said, you're not going to be winning any drag races, but it will pull itself... However, that said, I've pulled trailers with it since it had 30000 miles on it. It will pull, but don't get in a hurry. Worse case was a flatbed carhauler with a 57 chevy on it. Top speed of about 55 was all I wanted to get it up to... It worked hard that day, but got itself, the trailer, and the chevy all home. Its been a good motor..... but I personally, would want something better.

Good to hear your new motor is treating you well... with some proper maintainance, you should be able to enjoy it for several hundred thousand miles!!!

4RUNR

18.5mpg with kayaks and doing 85? I have real doubts about your methodology.

My 3.4 is years newer, and its gas mileage drops just like its shape, like a brick, anywhere above 70mph.

85mph yield at best 17.5mpg, yet 60-65mph 22mpg. Our aerodynamics are almost identical, and I don't have a roof rack.

knaffie

Question my methodology all you want to. Its a pretty simple calculation......set the trip meter, fill up the tank, drive, fill up the tank again and divide miles by gallons. Maybe wind had something to do with it. I don't know, but that's what I got. You can question it all you want.

kpooch75

that's amazing to me because the very best i've ever gotten, all highway, with stock size tires is like 16.5. Makes me wonder if I have a problem...

dlbrunner

I average 15.5 to 16.5 I have 59000mi on clock. I plan to do the manual hubs and the tranny and transfer synthetic, I might pick up 1mpg more, if I am lucky.

On my last road trip, I ran 80mph up to vegas and got 16.2 or so with the A/C on, on the way back I was doing 70 (to see if mpg would improve) and I got 16.3 mpg. So it was a wash. I remember my p/u with the 3.0 would see a big (2-3 MPG) drop when going 80 mph vs 70mph.

99_Runner

I am assuming that you are all running stock size tires, as I get 13-15 with my 4" lift and 33" tires, with the 3.0 V6 and auto. Also, are most of you guys runing 5 speeds or autos, as I've heard, and experienced, that the transmission has a lot to do with the milage that you actually get.

EnolaGaia

Knaffie: I agree with your comments after 148K-miles on my '93 3.0 3VZ (XtraCab pickup). It's a credible engine that's nowhere near as bad as its reputation would suggest. Granted, it's no monster coming off the line, but it cruises at 7X or 8X or even 9X mph just fine with more than enough power for high-speed maneuverability. No, it doesn't jerk me from a standstill like my 3.4L 5VZ, but it cruises about as well....

livelarg

My 3.0 has 250,000 miles on it, and it runs great!
I just had a full tune up and the compression checked, and the mechanic said that the compression was still over 190psi per cylinder. I was thinking I would have to change out the motor at 300,000 miles, but my mechanic said that it I keep taking care of it like I have, he guessed it would easily make it to 400,000.
It is not a powerhouse engine, but it's also not a dog. I cruised up to Colorado from Oklahoma city, doing between 80-85mph the whole time. We took it off road many times and did 3 mountain passes. Then I turned around and drove it home. That was with about 225,000 miles. I've even hauled cars back and forth with it 300-400 miles at a time.
Heck, you shouldn't be racing a 4runner anyway.
I think you'll like the 3VZE, it's a good engine.

Kent

Steveh29

I've had a similar experience with my 1995 3slow. It seems to get better mileage the more I run it at open throttle. Best mileage I ever got was with a full car of guys driving from Los Angeles to Vegas. I had the A/C blasting the whole way and was doing 80+ MPH as much as possible on hilly roads. I ended up getting 22 MPG on that trip.

Bumpin' Yota

If you are getting less than 20mpg highway and DONT have 32" or larger tires, something is WRONG!

My 5000lb 4runner STILL gets 19 mpg doing 75-80, drop her to 65 and Ill get 21-22. Around town, driving like I stole it, has me getting 16mpg. Oh yeah my tires are also a hair larger than stock 235's instead of 225s...

If ya arent getting good mileage on the highway, do a FULL tune up, replace the fuel filter, O2 sensor, and open up that exhaust and intake.

As far as racing, lol, no this engine is not a power house, BUT it can still beat an exterra 4cyl off the line and through the top end courtesy of the 3vze's low end torque.

Captain_Toyota

People can rip on the 3.0L all they want, but it still beats a 22R-E any day in a drag race and gets similar milage.
The best milage I ever got with my '91 4Runner SR5 V6 (3.0L) was 16 mpg. I guess that if some of you guys are getting 20+ mpg I must have a REALLY heavy foot.
Cap'n

4RUNR

Exactly 10 years ago, the last year for that engine in a 4WD V6 4Runner, it was rated by the EPA at 16mpg for automatic and 18 for manual. Turn down those speakers.

rimpainter.com

Hey knaffie, what city do you live in? The reason I ask is because I got considerably better mileage at high elevation (21MPG) on a trip vs. my standard 17.3MPG mix. That was without the SC'r...I am still calculating my hit on that.

dsm59

i only get like 15mpg on the 275 mile treck from near my home near los angeles and las vegas...and i only have 31's...CAn o2sensor go bad without setting off the check engine light? damn i think it might be the original one that came on the Boat from Japan alongside the 4runner 11yrs ago!

are 31" tires as tall as you can go with the stock gear ratio?

Captain_Toyota

Yeah, thats what I was thinking too. I found an old review of the '91 4Runner V6 a few years back and they commented about how poor the fuel milage was. They claimed it got 16 mpg (automatic). That sounded about right to me, mine was a 3.0L/automatic and thats about all the better milage I ever got. It was still better than my '85 4Runner though (22R-E/5-speed manual), it only got 14 mpg (mostly city driving and short trips).
Cap'n

Bumpin' Yota

Only because people cant keep their foot out of the gas...everyone has to haul ass off of the line...

Keep the rpm's under 3000 and keep your foot at LEAST 2" - 3" away from the floorboard to keep the O2 sensor's input in the loop and if your rig is tuned properly, whola 16-17 around town and much better mileage highway...

Running your engine off of fuel tables instead of off of the O2 sensor will result in REALLY crappy mileage.

Reldnew

91 w/180,00 miles.
21+ on the highway if I keep it at a tick under 70, anticipate uphills, use the momentum of downhills, anticipate slowing traffic (so I don't have to brake and accelerate constantly) and no WOT blasts.

Bumpin' Yota

Precisely the type of driving I do on the highway. NOTHING is sudden, all done slowly, deliberately, and good mpg!

Flamedx4

Since when did the EPA rating have ANYTHING to do with real world mileage?
Not being facetious - they group vehicle types together, and they ignore tire and gearing choices, body style differences (weight) and all kinds of stuff. All that in addition to the EPS test loop and test pilots not being very close to real world. EPA number is just a general guide, the disclaimer "ACtual mileage may vary" has always been a standing joke.